Wakefield River Catchment Action Plan

Introduction The Wakefield Catchment Action Plan (CAP) draws together information and feedback from a wide range of community members and summarises the most important features of the catchment and the issues that we face in managing them. This summary will be used to inform the strategic direction of Natural Resources Management (NRM) in the catchment and align with other planning and natural resource management actions occurring across the Northern and Yorke region. In the decade since the previous report, there has been a substantial shift in community knowledge, expectations and attitudes towards environmental and natural resources management issues. Natural Resources Northern and Yorke has worked with the community, natural resource management experts, scientists, government agencies, local government and non-government organisations to develop this plan and capture these changing attitudes. This collaboration has helped to ensure that the CAP reflects the priorities of a wide range of community and stakeholders, including investors such as the South Australian and Australian Governments. The CAP is not intended to encompass every possible issue or action, but to identify the high priority actions without which some of our most important assets will collapse. The Wakefield River CAP provides a strategic way forward – a plan of action – for the community who will be managing the Catchment’s natural resources over the next ten years.

The Wakefield catchment The Wakefield catchment is in the Mid North region of South Australia, approximately 100 kilometres north of Adelaide and covers around 690 square kilometres. The Wakefield River is one of the three main ephemeral rivers in the Mid North and the catchment is flanked by the catchments of the Broughton River to the north and Light River to the south. The Wakefield River originates near Manoora and flows westerly towards Mintaro before diverting in a southerly direction through Auburn before turning west to flow through Balaklava and into the Port Wakefield estuary. Its major tributaries are the Eyre, Skillogalee, Pine, Rices, Hermitage and Woolshed Flat Creeks. The most intensive use of groundwater and surface water resources is in the Clare Valley for viticulture. Outside of the Clare Valley water is mainly used for stock and domestic purposes. The catchment is an ephemeral system characterised by irregular flows and long dry intermediate periods. Rainfall in the Wakefield catchment is heavily influenced by topography. The elevation ranges from sea level to approximately 600 m above sea level in the upper catchment. East of Halbury, the northern Mount Lofty Ranges are the dominant topographic feature and form a series of north-south ridgelines. Mt Horrocks, at 610 m is the highest point in the catchment and defines the headwaters for the Skillogalee and Eyre Creeks. In the coastal flats from Port Wakefield to Balaklava the average annual rainfall is approximately 300 mm. Eastwards from these plains the rainfall increases to 660 mm around Watervale, a region of higher elevation and rainfall that supplies most of the water to the river. Most of the Wakefield catchment has undergone significant vegetation change since agricultural development. Mallee scrub has been extensively cleared on the coastal and inland plains, as has grassy woodland and grassland vegetation in the ranges. Rabbits, weeds, woodcutting and grazing have degraded remnant native vegetation, particularly the understorey and annual grasses and weeds have replaced most understorey species. Five types of native watercourse vegetation have been identified in the catchment: riverine forests and woodlands; riverine shrublands; sedgelands; samphire marshes; and submerged aquatic vegetation.

Edited by: Jennifer Munro, Water Officer, Natural Resources Northern and Yorke, 2017. Photo credits: J Munro, NRNY, PIRSA

The Wakefield catchment is divided into eight sub-catchments

Your say More than 160 participants provided feedback on watercourse management issues and objectives through a survey (Appendix A) posted to landholders and discussed at community workshops and meetings across the catchment. River red gums, good agricultural soil, permanent springs and waterbirds were ranked by the community as the highest priority assets for watercourses across the catchment. The community identified the main concerns as weeds; declining river flow; drying up of spring; and reduction of water table and pool levels. Wild artichoke, boxthorn, onion weed, horehound and silverleaf nightshade were the highest priority weeds. Not surprisingly, weed control was considered the most important watercourse management objective, followed by protecting remnant vegetation; improving/maintaining areas of good native vegetation; protecting important riverine habitat; and enhancing the natural qualities and characteristics of the river system. The main barriers to managing these watercourse issues were rated by survey respondents and included lack of people to undertake works, lack of funds to address watercourse management issues; outside impacts, including upstream management impacting on downstream health; and lack of time to address watercourse management. The watercourse management priorities and issues of each individual sub-catchment are presented in the following chapters and will inform the development of the new Northern and Yorke Strategic Plan, currently underway.

Permanent springs are an important part of the Wakefield Catchment

Upper Wakefield River sub-catchment – our natural resources and management priorities The Upper Wakefield River sub-catchment (144.2 km2) is at the top of the Wakefield catchment. Cropping and grazing are the dominant land uses within the sub-catchment, with viticulture along the Wakefield River below its confluence with Honeysuckle Creek. The section of the Wakefield River above its confluence with Wookie Creek has a ‘chain of ponds’ morphology. There is typically a series of well vegetated permanent pools that are connected by small channels.

The Wakefield River, Wookie Creek, Kadlunga Creek and Honeysuckle Creeks are the main watercourses that drain the sub-catchment.

Natural assets identified for protection in the Upper Wakefield River sub-catchment Sub-catchment assets have been identified through the last decade, since the initial River Management Plan for the Wakefield Catchment in 2000 and include the Wakefield River at Auburn and the Kadlunga Creek at Mintaro and Mt Horrocks.

Auburn is an important asset to the Upper Wakefield River sub-catchment

Mt Horrocks is an important asset in the Upper Wakefield River sub-catchment.

Upper Wakefield RIver Very Key asset Indicator Poor Fair Good good Auburn Vegetation condition X Mintaro Vegetation condition X Mt Horrocks Vegetation condition X

Since 2014, surveys have provided more detail on what the community valued in the sub-catchments and what threats they saw to our natural resources.

Good agricultural soil, river red gums and permanent springs were seen as the highest priority assets in the sub-catchment.

Pollution from septic tanks, poor water quality and salinity were identified as the biggest threats to watercourses by the community, along with nutrient concentrations in water and pollution from farm chemicals.

Wild artichoke, fennel, onion weed and boxthorn were identified as the most problematic weeds threatening watercourses. Other weeds not listed in the survey that were identified as a high priority were Phalaris, hawthorn, elm and Scotch thistle.

Community members were also given the chance to rate activities they thought would most help to manage rivers and creeks in the sub-catchment as well as the barriers that might prevent good management.

Weed control, protecting remnant vegetation and allowing natural regeneration were the highest community priorities for managing river systems in the sub-catchment.

Lack of people to undertake works, lack of funds to address watercourse management issues and lack of time to address watercourse management were seen as the biggest barriers to effective management of watercourses in the Upper Wakefield sub-catchment.

For more information about water resource management in your catchment contact: Natural Resources Centre – Clare 155 Main North Rd, Clare SA 5453 Email: [email protected] Ph: (08) 8841 3400 Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

Eyre Creek sub-catchment – our natural resources and management priorities The Eyre Creek sub-catchment (35.1 km2) arises in the foothills of Mt Horrocks and flows in a southerly direction through the town of Watervale, joining the main channel of the Wakefield River just north of Auburn. Eyre Creek is an ephemeral stream with several small permanent pools that are groundwater dependent. Grazing, viticulture and rural-residential blocks are the main land uses in the catchment.

Eyre Creek is the main watercourse in the Eyre Creek sub-catchment.

Natural assets identified for protection in the Eyre Creek sub-catchment Sub-catchment assets have been identified through the last decade, since the initial River Management Plan for the Wakefield Catchment in 2000 and include river red gums and permanent pools along the Eyre Creek as well as Watervale, Leasingham and Mt Horrocks.

The Eyre Creek at Watervale is an important part of the Eyre Creek sub-catchment.

Eyre Creek Very Key asset Indicator Poor Fair Good good Watervale Vegetation condition X Leasingham Vegetation condition X Mt Horrocks Vegetation condition X River red gums Vegetation condition X

Since 2014, surveys have provided more detail on what the community valued in the Eyre Creek sub- catchment and what threats they saw to our natural resources.

River red gums, flood out plains and groundwater were seen as the highest priority assets in the sub- catchment.

Declining river flow, pollution from farm chemicals and drying up of springs were identified as the biggest threats to watercourses by the community, followed by pest animals, weeds and nutrient concentrations in water.

insert pic of Horehound, boxthorn and Phalaris were identified as the most problematic weeds threatening olives watercourses, followed by wild artichoke, pepper trees and silverleaf nightshade.

Community members were also given the chance to rate activities they thought would most help to manage rivers and creeks in the sub-catchments as well as the barriers that might prevent good management.

insert pic of regeneration Protecting remnant vegetation, protecting important riverine habitat and managing livestock were the highest priorities for managing our river system.

Lack of funds to address watercourse management issues, conflicts between agricultural use and environmental needs and lack of time to address watercourse management were seen as the biggest barriers to effective management of watercourses in the Eyre Creek sub-catchment.

What’s next You can still contribute to our research by completing the survey (closes June 30 2017) or providing comment on our findings to [email protected]. We’ve had more than 160 participants so far and would like your support to get as much feedback as possible from the people who live, work and play in the area. Your feedback will now be used to develop a new strategic plan for the Northern and Yorke region. For more information about water resource management in your catchment contact: Natural Resources Centre – Clare 155 Main North Rd, Clare SA 5453 Email: [email protected] Ph: (08) 8841 3400 Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

Pine Creek sub-catchment – our natural resources and management priorities The Pine Creek (52 km2) sub-catchment encompasses Pine Creek, which connects to the Wakefield River at Undalya. Grazing and cropping are the main land uses in the sub-catchment, with little viticulture development. Pine Creek is an ephemeral system with some small permanent pools of water that are typically saline. The creek is a dry channel for most of the year, flowing only after heavy rain.

Pine Creek is the main watercourse in the Pine Creek sub-catchment.

Natural assets identified for protection in the Pine Creek sub-catchment Sub-catchment assets have been identified through the last decade, since the initial River Management Plan for the Wakefield Catchment in 2000 and include blue gums, peppermint box, permanent pools and Pine Creek Hill.

Blue gums are an important

part of the Pine Creek

sub-catchment.

Peppermint box are an important part of the Pine Creek sub-catchment.

Pine Creek Very Key asset Indicator Poor Fair Good good Blue gums Vegetation condition X

Peppermint box Vegetation condition X

Pine Creek Hill Vegetation condition X

Pine Creek Hill is an important part of the Pine Creek sub-catchment.

insert pic of olives What’s next You can still contribute to our research by completing the survey (closes June 30 2017) or providing comment on our findings to [email protected]. We’ve had more than 160 participants so far and would like your support to get as much feedback as possible from the people who live, work and play in the area. Your feedback will now be used to develop a new strategic plan for the Northern and Yorke region. For more information about water resource management in your catchment contact: Natural Resources Centre – Clare 155 Main North Rd, Clare SA 5453 Email: [email protected] Ph: (08) 8841 3400 Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

Rices Creek sub-catchment – our natural resources and management priorities The Rices Creek (61.5 km2) sub-catchment encompasses Rices Creek, which connects to the Wakefield River at Auburn. Grazing and cropping are the main land uses in the sub-catchment, with little viticulture development. Rices Creek is an ephemeral system with some small permanent pools of water that are typically saline. The creek is a dry channel for most of the year, flowing only after heavy rain.

Rices Creek is the main watercourse in the Rices Creek sub-catchment.

Natural assets identified for protection in the Rices Creek sub-catchment Sub-catchment assets have been identified through the last decade, since the initial River Management Plan for the Wakefield Catchment in 2000 and include peppermint box, river red gums, permanent pools and blue gums.

River red gums are an

important part of the Rices Creek

sub-catchment.

Peppermint box are an important part of the Rices Creek sub-catchment.

Rices Creek Very Key asset Indicator Poor Fair Good good Peppermint box Vegetation condition X

River red gums Vegetation condition X

Blue gums Vegetation condition X

insert pic of olives

Skillogalee Creek sub-catchment – our natural resources and management priorities The Skillogalee Creek sub-catchment (67.6 km2) arises in the western foothills of Mt Horrocks and flows west through Penwortham before changing course and flowing in a southerly direction to its confluence with the main channel of the Wakefield River. Skillogalee Creek is an ephemeral stream with groundwater- fed baseflows downstream of Penwortham and several large, permanent pools below the Auburn-Balaklava Road. Grazing, cropping and viticulture are the main land uses in the sub-catchment.

Skillogalee Creek is the main watercourse in the Skillogalee Creek sub-catchment.

Natural assets identified for protection in the Skillogalee Creek sub-catchment Sub-catchment assets have been identified through the last decade, since the initial River Management Plan for the Wakefield Catchment in 2000. These assets include Bryans Spring, Mt Oakden, permanent pools, river red gums, Skilly Hills and the Spring Gully Conservation Park.

The Skilly Hills are an

important part of the

Skillogalee Creek

sub-catchment.

Skillogalee Creek Very Key asset Indicator Poor Fair Good good Bryans Spring Habitat condition ? Mt Oakden Vegetation condition X Permanent pools Habitat condition X River red gums Vegetation condition X Skilly Hills Vegetation condition X Spring Gully Cons. Pk Vegetation condition X

Since 2014, surveys have provided more detail on what the community valued in the Skillogalee Creek sub- catchment and what threats they saw to our natural resources.

Native shrubland, remnant shrubland and blue gums, were seen as the highest priority assets in the sub- catchment. Other priorities included threatened birds and rare fauna and livestock management.

Livestock impact, weeds, exotic trees and lack of native vegetation were identified as the biggest threats to watercourses by the community.

Dog rose, cape tulip, wild artichoke and pine were identified as the most problematic weeds threatening watercourses. insert pic of olives

Protecting remnant vegetation, controlling weeds, improving/maintaining areas of good native vegetation and managing livestock were the highest community priorities for managing our river systems.

Lack of community awareness, knowledge and information; lack of people to undertake works; and lack of community knowledge and information to plan actions were seen as the biggest barriers to effective management of watercourses in the Skillogalee Creek sub-catchment.

Mt Oakden is an important part of the Skillogalee Creek sub-catchment

Woolshed Flat Creek and Mid Wakefield River sub-catchments – our natural resources and management priorities The Woolshed Flat Creek (67.2 km2) sub-catchment encompasses Woolshed Flat Creek. Woolshed Flat Creek flows into the Wakefield River along the Balaklava-Rhynie Road. Woolshed Flat Creek is an ephemeral stream with no permanent pools. Cropping is the major land use in the area, with some grazing of livestock also.

Woolshed Flat Creek is the main watercourse in the Woolshed Flat Creek sub-catchment.

The Mid Wakefield River sub-catchment (169.3 km2) encompasses the main channel of the Wakefield River from Auburn to the Rocks Reserve and Hermitage Creek. The main channel of the Wakefield River has significant groundwater-fed baseflow and permanent pools. Cropping is the major land use in the area, with some grazing of livestock also.

The Wakefield River and Hermitage Creek are the main watercourses in the Mid Wakefield River sub- catchment.

Natural assets identified for protection in the Woolshed Flat Creek and Mid Wakefield River sub- catchments Sub-catchment assets have been identified through the last decade, since the initial River Management Plan for the Wakefield Catchment in 2000, including Rhynie on Woolshed Flat Creek and permanent pools and the Rocks Reserve on the Wakefield River.

The Rocks Reserve is an important part of the Mid Wakefield River sub-catchment.

Woolshed Flat Creek and Mid Wakefield River Very Key asset Indicator Poor Fair Good good Rhynie Vegetation condition X

Permanent pools Habitat condition X

Rocks Reserve Vegetation condition X

Since 2014, surveys have provided more detail on what the community valued in the Woolshed Flat Creek and Mid Wakefield River sub-catchments and what threats they saw to our natural resources.

River red gums, native fish and waterbirds were seen as a high priority asset in the sub-catchments.

Common Galaxias

Congolli

Drying up of springs, reduction of water table and pool levels and declining river flow were identified as the biggest threats to watercourses by the community.

Wild artichoke, radish and onion weed were identified as the most problematic weeds threatening watercourses. insert pic of olives

insert pic of Determining current groundwater extractions, maintaining a balance between reed beds and waterholes regeneration in the river system and improving water quantity were the highest community priorities for managing our river systems.

Outside impacts, including upstream management impacting on downstream health was seen as the biggest barrier to effective management of watercourses in the Woolshed Flat Creek and Mid Wakefield River sub-catchments.

Lower Wakefield River sub-catchment – our natural resources and management priorities The Lower Wakefield River (96 km2) sub-catchment encompasses the Wakefield River from the Rocks Reserve to the Port Wakefield estuary. From downstream of the Rocks Reserve to Balaklava a significant proportion of flow disappears into sand and gravel beds. Grazing and cropping are the main land uses in the catchment.

The Wakefield River is the main watercourse in the Lower Wakefield River sub-catchment.

Natural assets identified for protection in the Lower Wakefield River sub-catchment Sub-catchment assets have been identified through the last decade, since the initial River Management Plan for the Wakefield Catchment in 2000, including river red gums, the Lower Wakefield River near Balaklava and Pt Wakefield and the floodplain swamps.

Floodplain swamps in the Lower Wakefield River sub-catchment.

Lower Wakefield River Very Key asset Indicator Poor Fair Good good River red gums Vegetation condition X

Balaklava Vegetation condition X

Floodplain swamps Vegetation condition X

Pt Wakefield Vegetation condition X

Since 2014, surveys have provided more detail on what the community valued in the Lower Wakefield River sub-catchment and what threats they saw to our natural resources.

River red gums were seen as the highest priority asset in the sub-catchment followed by native grasses, good agricultural soil and permanent springs.

Weeds, declining river flow, drying up of springs and pest animals were identified as the biggest threats to watercourses by the community.

Boxthorn and horehound were identified as the most problematic weeds threatening watercourses, along with wild artichoke, onion weed and silverleaf nightshade.

Weed control, improving/maintaining areas of good native vegetation, revegetating for habitat conservation and erosion control, protecting remnant vegetation and protecting important riverine habitat were the highest community priorities for managing our river systems.

Outside impacts, including upstream management impacting on downstream health; lack of funds to address watercourse management issues and lack of people to undertake works were seen as the biggest barriers to effective management of watercourses in the sub-catchment.

What’s next

You can still contribute to our research by completing the survey (closes June 30 2017) or providing comment on our findings to [email protected]. We’ve had more than 160 participants so far and would like your support to get as much feedback as possible from the people who live, work and play in the area. Your feedback will now be used to develop a new strategic plan for the Northern and Yorke region. For more information about water resource management in your catchment contact: Natural Resources Centre – Clare 155 Main North Rd, Clare SA 5453 Email: [email protected] Ph: (08) 8841 3400 Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

Appendix A Community Survey

Four Rivers Survey SETTING THE PRIORITIES FOR ACTION IN THE SOUTHERN FLINDERS AND NORTHERN MT LOFTY RANGES CATCHMENTS The Four Rivers Project is currently developing catchment action plans for the four catchments within the Southern Flinders and Northern Mt Lofty Ranges. We’re reviewing information collected from the community 10–15 years ago when the last river management plans were developed, and we’d like your help to find out if this information is still accurate.

We’ve identified a list of watercourse assets, threats to these assets and management actions that could be used to address them. We would like your feedback to see if these are still relevant, which issues are most important and if there are any new issues we need to address.

Your local knowledge and understanding of the river is an invaluable source of information and we would appreciate your input and time in completing this survey. We will use the information collected to help guide the development of catchment action plans and prioritise on-ground works in the region. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Name (optional) ______Email (optional) ______

Landholder: □ town □ farm □ other______

What is the closest river or creek to your property? ______-

Which catchment and sub-catchment is your property located in? Please tick.

Broughton Light □ Hutt and Hill Rivers □ Upper Light □ Booborowie & Baldry □ Mid Light Creeks □ Lower Light □ Freshwater & Bundaleer □ Gilbert Creeks Willochra □ Yackamoorundie Creek □ Beautiful Valley & Spring □ Rocky River Creeks □ Crystal Brook Creek □ Wild Dog, Booleroo & Old □ Lower & Mid Broughton Booleroo Creeks River □ Mt Brown Creeks Wakefield □ Amyton & Coonatto Creeks □ Upper Wakefield River □ Pichi Richi & Mt Arden □ Eyre Creek Creeks □ Pine & Rices Creeks □ Wallaby & Boolcunda □ Skillogalee Creek Creeks □ Hermitage & Woolshed Flat □ Kanyaka & Willochra creeks Creeks □ Lower Wakefield River

Within your sub-catchment, rate your 10 most important assets from 1 to 10, where 1 is the most important.

 other______ grey box  native  rockbars shrublands  aquatic plants woodlands  samphire overstorey blue gum  groundwater  short leaf  vegetation   lignum honey myrtle  chenopod  peppermint shrubland  macroinverte box  shrimp brates shrubland  estuary  permanent   maireana  flood pools  spalding brown grass diversions  mallee box  permanent  flood plain  mangroves springs  waterbirds swamps  native fish  red mallee  white box  flood plains woodlands  native  reed beds flood-out  other______ grasses  remnant plain  other______ native pines shrubland  good agricultural  native  riffles soil sedgelands  river red  gorge gums Within your sub-catchment, rate your 10 main threats to watercourses from 1 to 10, where 1 is the most important.

other______ structural works  degradation of causing or threatened riverine  declining river flow by erosion habitat  flooding  erosion heads  degradation of native  reduction of water habitat exotic trees table and pool levels   loss of animal habitat  weeds  poor water quality  increased reed  livestock impact  pollution from septic growth tanks  pest animals  cultivation of riparian  pollution from farm  exotic fish land and chemicals  groundwater watercourses  nutrient extraction  flood irrigation concentrations  uncontrolled other ______in water  development  drying up of springs  dams  salinity  lack of native  siltation vegetation

If you identified weeds or exotic trees as a threat, please rate your top 10 weeds from 1 to 10, where 1 is the most important.

other______ cape tulip  onion weed  tree tobacco  African rue  castor oil  peppertrees  variegated plant thistle  ash  perennial  common reed thistle  wild artichoke  Bathurst burr  dog rose  pine  wild rose  black nightshade  fennel  radish  willow  blackberry  fruit trees  silverleaf  other______nightshade  boxthorn  gorse  slender thistle  other_____  broom  hoary cress  soldier thistle  cactus  horehound  spear thistle  caltrop  olives  tomato weed

Within your sub-catchment, rate your 10 most important watercourse management objectives from 1 to 10, where 1 is the most important.

 other ______ investigate dryland, groundwater and surface water salinity  protect important riverine habitat  maintain perennial grass cover  manage livestock  fence vulnerable assets  improve/maintain areas of good native vegetation  allow natural regeneration  protect remnant vegetation  manage areas of poor bank stability  control weeds  manage erosion  increase monitoring  manage structural works causing or threatened by erosion  revegetate for habitat conservation and erosion control  remediate inefficient groundwater use practices  improve water quality remediate inefficient surface water use enhance natural qualities and   practices characteristics of the river system determine current groundwater improve water quantity   extractions maintain a balance between reed beds  protect migration flows and waterholes in the river system   other ______ remove exotic trees  undertake engineering works Within your sub-catchment, rate your 10 main barriers to managing watercourse issues from 1 to 10, where 1 is the biggest barrier.

 other______ lack of time to address watercourse management  lack of community awareness, knowledge and information  inadequate/insufficent amount and scale of catchment management lack of community knowledge and  planning information to plan actions lack of coordination and lack of necessary skills for planning,   communication between organisations organising and implementing actions and individuals involved in water  lack of funds to address watercourse resource management management issues  lack of social and regulatory  lack of people to undertake works consequences for poor watercourse management  amount of time and paperwork involved in funding applications  outside impacts, including upstream management impacting on uncertainty, infrequency or small size  downstream health of funding available  other______ growing demands on water resources  conflicts between agricultural use and environmental needs

Thank you for your input on sub-catchment management priorities.

Now, please think about the priorities for the catchment as a whole.

At a catchment scale, identify the top three actions that you would like to see taken within your catchment.

1.______

2.______

3.______

Please provide any other input on watercourse priorities that you believe will help in planning and prioritisation. ______

______

Any other comments ______

______

Thank you for participating in the Four Rivers survey.

For more information

Jennifer Munro

NRM Water Officer P 0429 362 008 E [email protected]

http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/northernandyorke/home